nuclear-news

Iran’s new President determined to resolve nuclear issue

New Iranian president Hassan Rouhani pledges resolution with West over nuclear issue, ABC News 7 Aug 13  Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, says he is determined to resolve his country’s dispute with the West over its nuclear regime.

In the first media conference since being sworn in for the man seen in the west as a relatively moderate leader, Mr Rouhani said he was ready to begin negotiations over the issue which has caused years of stalemate.

“We will not do away with the right of the nation,” the 64-year-old said, indicating Iran would not be abandoning its nuclear program.

“However, we are for negotiations and interaction. We are prepared, seriously and without wasting time, to enter negotiations which are serious and substantive with the other side.

“If the other party is also prepared like we are, then I am confident that the concerns of both sides will be removed through negotiations within a period which will not be very long.”

Warns against carrot and stick approach

Western countries and Israel have said in the past they believed Iran was trying to achieve nuclear weapons capability, but Tehran says its program is purely for peaceful needs.

The new president’s approach is likely to reinforce a sense of cautious optimism in the West, despite the fact negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program have long frustrated both sides……….. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-07/iran27s-rouhani-pledges-resolution-of-nuclear-issue/4869626

August 7, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international